Beverage container insulators and methods for making the same

ABSTRACT

A beverage container insulator comprising: A molded pulp cylinder formed from a polysaccharide and having an inside surface, an outside surface, a first end having a first opening, a second end having a second opening, and a body portion between the two ends wherein each opening is defined by a perimeter that joins the inside surface to the outside surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of disposable hot or cold beverage containers, such aspaper coffee cups, a common consumer complaint relates to the undesiredtransfer of heat from the container to a user's hand. Common solutionsto this complaint have involved the use of a second container tosurround the beverage holding container, corrugated or embossed sleevesencircling the beverage container such as found in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,205,473 and 5,425,497, and expanded (mesh) material sleeves encirclingthe beverage container such as manufactured by Pactiv Corporation.

With respect to the use of a second container, it is well known thatbeverage vendor costs are increased by the use of a second container andthat more raw materials are used for a single beverage serving. Withrespect to the use of corrugated or embossed sleeves, such sleevesreduce the use of raw materials by about 45% when compared to the use ofa second container, however, they are not as efficient at insulation asdesirable, do not employ the least costly materials, slip from cup tooeasily, have glue joint failures, etc. Generally expanded materialsleeves do not use wood cellulose but, instead, use expanded styrene orpolyethylene. Thus, there is a need for an alternative to corrugated orembossed sleeves that provide enhanced economies and similarrecyclability of these products, but at a lower price point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is broadly directed to beverage container insulators thatare intended to provide a means for conveniently isolating or mitigatingthe thermal condition of a fluid container from a user holding thecontainer, as well as related methods for making the same. The variousembodiments of the invention provide a variety of means and benefitscombinations for insulating a user's hand from the beverage container.In a first series of embodiments, a variety of insulators areconstructed from molded pulp. As used herein, molded pulp comprises anyrigid or semi-rigid structure formed from slurries of a polysaccharideor similar polymer into the final structure, and functional equivalentsthereof, and may include adjuncts thereto. A second series ofembodiments is directed to multiple layer insulators. Certainembodiments rely upon selectively displacing the insulator from thecontainer to achieve container insulation while others rely primarilyupon material selection and thickness to provide the insulatingcharacteristics. Methods for producing the insulators include cellulosepulp vacuum forming and sheet stock stamping, which will be described ingreater detail below.

In the first series of embodiments, the insulator comprises a moldedhollow cylinder. The cylinder includes an inside surface, an outsidesurface, a first end having a first opening, a second end having asecond opening, and a body portion between the two ends. Each opening isdefined by a perimeter that joins the inside surface to the outsidesurface, and the first opening preferably has a diameter greater thanthat of the second opening, thereby defining a generally frusto conicalshape for use with containers that are not generally characterized asright cylinders.

As noted above, select versions in the first series of embodiments willhave the first opening diameter greater than the second openingdiameter. When taken in conjunction with the length of the body portion,one can determine the draft angle of the insulator. In a first subset ofselect embodiments thereof, the draft angle of the insulator isapproximately equal to that of conventional hot beverage containersfrequently used for serving coffee or tea, or to that of a specificconventional hot beverage container. In these select versions, materialselection provides the primary means for insulation. A preferredmaterial for constructing these select versions is cellulose or woodpulp. The resulting insulator therefore has a greater sectionalthickness when compared to, for example, calendared paper cups, and alsohas a lower density that further aids in establishing an insulativelayer between the beverage container and a user's hand. In addition,pulp-based products conventionally have a smooth side (the side exposedto the screen, and a rough side characterized as having a plurality ofprotrusions and recesses). By establishing the rough side as the insidesurface, increased insulation properties can be achieved, as will beappreciated by those persons skilled in the art.

These versions of the first subset of select embodiments can be formedas ready-to-use (that is a generally frustoconical form), or ultimatelyas collapsed cylinders (highly elliptical in cross section), the laterof which require some degree of post-manufacture manipulation, forexample, select radial expansion, prior to use. For collapsedembodiments, the insulator may be formed as a collapsed form, or may beformed as a frustoconical and subsequently deformed or collapsed priorto delivery to a customer. Advantages associated with the subsequentlydeformed embodiments that are constructed from cellulose pulp concernthe insulator's ability to recover its initial frustoconical shape uponexposure to heat.

A feature of these select versions is the incorporation of an enhancedlip portion at the first opening perimeter. The lip portion ischaracterized as band of increased diameter material with a lowerannular segment extending radially inwardly (either orthogonally orpreferably obliquely) to the body. The inclusion of this featurebeneficially increases the radial crush resistance of the insulator andprovides a convenient means for intercepting “dribbles” that mightotherwise reach the user's hand or drip from the bottom of thecontainer.

While the first subset of the first series of embodiments may be simple,they represent a significant savings in per unit manufacturing costswhen compared to sleeves and insulators of the prior art. Particularlywith respect to embodiments formed from cellulose pulp, these selectversions increase the coefficient of friction between the insulator andthe container. While conventional sleeves such as those constructed fromcorrugated stock use a smooth and somewhat calendared inner surface,molded embodiments preferably use cellulose pulp. This production methodand material selection exploits the course surface of the finishedproduct to increase the coefficient of friction between it and thecontainer. Moreover, this composition permits the use of 100% recycledcellulose pulp with no degradation in performance. An ancillary benefitis a significant reduction in final product cost as well as thepreviously mentioned reduction in heat transfer rates. Moreover,frusto-conical embodiments may be nested for storage, transportation(collapsed embodiments regardless of ultimate geometric form also havedesirable storage and shipment form factors) and dispensing, therebyreducing post manufacturing costs.

However, it is recognized that as beverage containers vary indimensions, so do respective draft angles. In this respect, a secondsubset of select first series embodiments incorporates expansion meansfor permitting a limited number of insulators to adapt to nearly allconventional, single-serving beverage containers. These expansion meansconjunctively or disjunctively comprise the creation of a plurality ofslits extending from one of an area proximate to one end or the bodyportion to one of the other end or an area adjacent but prior to theother end perimeter, or the creation of a plurality of radiallydisplaceable stand-off elements. The slits and/or stand-off elements maybe congruent with the axis of the insulator or may be skew thereto inorientation, and may be rectilinear or curvilinear in shape.

With respect to the slit embodiments of the first series, by extendingthe plurality of slits to the second end (putatively the bottom of theinsulator), a plurality of narrow “V” or partially unbounded slits/slotsare formed when urged radially outwardly. This collet configurationbeneficially permits acceptance of container diameters greater than thediameter of the second opening perimeter. Thus, the insulator can have adraft angle greater than that of the container, yet not be limited tocontainers having a similar or greater draft angle. Because insertion ofa container into such an insulator will cause conforming radialdisplacement of the second opening perimeter only sufficient to acceptthe container, the insulator provides a range of viable draft angles fora plurality of distinct draft angle containers.

A feature of these embodiments provides for terminating a slit justprior to the second perimeter (thereby creating a frangible slit). Byapplying a radially outward force to the second perimeter (such asduring insertion of a container having a diameter greater than that ofthe second perimeter), it is possible to breach the perimeter at theslit location, thereby creating an open or wide “V” slit extending fromthe area proximate to the first end or body portion past the second end.When a plurality of slits are present, this insulator configurationbeneficially conforms to those containers wherein the draft angle isless than that of the insulator, or where the container diameter isgreater than that of the second end: As a bottom portion of a containeris inserted into the insulator from the first end thereof to the secondend, the bottom portion of the container will progressively apply aradially outward force to the inside wall of the insulator until theexpansive force causes the second end perimeter to breach. Theincorporation of a frangible slit enhances the handling of theinsulators since the second end perimeter is not susceptible tounintentional displacement that may occur during nesting or otherhandling actions.

Still other embodiments of the first series of embodiments permit a userto frictionally retain a container therein without contact between thefirst opening perimeter and the container. This is accomplished byproviding a sleeve with a draft angle greater than that of the containerfor which the sleeve is used. In such embodiments, the second openingperimeter and a portion of the body adjacent to the second openingperimeter contact the container while the first opening perimeter and aportion of the body adjacent to the first opening perimeter do not. Insuch an arrangement, thermal conduction by the insulator at thenon-contacting portions is eliminated.

With respect to the radially displaceable stand-off elementsembodiments, by biasing the placement of these features towards one endof the body, a plurality of unique draft angle containers can beaccepted. In these embodiments, radial expansion occurs not as a resultof material separation as is the case with slit-bearing embodiments, butthrough material displacement. In select embodiments of this type, thestand-off elements comprise pleats extending from one end of theinsulator towards the other, and preferably well into the body portion.When taking into account an objective to retain a frusto-conicalgeometry, the pleats preferably taper from the small diameter opening(putatively the second opening) to the opposite opening. The describedpleats can be formed during formation of the insulator or induced postformation through the use of heat and pressure during a “crimping”process, which will be described in greater detail below.

While a preferred implementation of the stand-off elements are pleats,equally applicable are radially inwardly projecting protrusions (of anygeometric form) formed on the inner surface of the body portion used inconjunction with either pleats or functionally equivalent structures, orwith slits/slots. If used with the latter, an additional benefit isrealized: the dead air gap between the beverage container and theinsulator further increases the resistance to heat transfer from thecontainer to the user's hand.

The referenced pleats can have a generally planar faces, thereby formingangle intersections, or can have generally smooth faces, thereby forminga trough-like cross sectional profile. Research into both forms hasshown that smooth faces provide for a more uniform radial expansion andreduce the propensity of pulp build-up at planar intersections, whichfurther reduces uniform material displacement upon presentation ofradially outward forces. However, by integrating a slit at selectlocations of pulp build-up and/or establishing a score at selectlocations, the deflection properties of these areas can beadvantageously modified for desired insulator operability.

As noted above, the slit features and the stand-off features may becombined into one embodiment. In such embodiments, the slits serve tolocalize radial expansion forces, thereby preserving desirable geometricattributes of the stand-off elements. Alternatively, scoring or“coining” of selected portions of the stand-off elements can achievesimilar force localization effects without having to use slits.

In a derivative of the first series of embodiments, a molded insulatoris provided that is manipulated after manufacture to create aninsulating sleeve. Unlike “ready-to-use” insulators heretoforedescribed, the derivative insulators are projections (two dimensional orsemi-two dimensional mappings of the entire surface of the threedimensional insulator) of the corresponding insulator. For convenience,these derivatives will be referred as clam-shell embodiments. Thus, forconventional hot beverage containers having a discernable draft angle,the insulator comprises a first edge, a second edge spaced apart fromthe first edge, wherein both edges are preferably arcuate andequidistant from each other. Two spaced apart lateral edges each jointhe first and second edges such that the four edges define a bodyportion. Because the contemplated materials used for construction of thesecond series of embodiments are somewhat rigid, a plurality of bendingzones or hinge segments may be imparted into the insulator duringmanufacture or subsequent manipulation. In addition to these hingesegments, which may have areas of increased thickness or scoring tofacilitate bending, contoured relief portions (generally arcuatesections of the ultimately formed cylinder comprising the insulator) maybe formed there between. Thus, when the insulator is manipulated into afrusto conical cylinder in order to receive a beverage container, thebody portion already has a plurality of hinged contoured relief portionsthat permit a close fit therewith.

A benefit to constructing an insulator according to this derivative ofthe first series of embodiments relates to speed of manufacture,particularly when the insulator is constructed from cellulose pulp. Asthose persons skilled in the art will appreciate, the deeper a form is,the slower the manufacturing process will be. Because insulators,according to the this series of embodiments, have a minimal depth (thedepth of the mold is directly related to the “height” of the contourrelief portions and generally will not exceed 38 mm or 1.5 inches ascompared to the previously described first series of embodiments whereinthe depth may be as great as 80 mm or 3.5 inches), manufacturing outputis greatly increased. While the “cost” for such efficiency is that theuser or beverage provider must then manipulate the insulator to fit thecontainer, this post manufacturing step is not undertaken by themanufacturer. Moreover, the generally compact nature of such insulatorsgreatly increases the packaging ability thereof.

Because these first series derivative embodiments are not manufacturedin a “ready-to-use” state, means must be provided for securing the firstlateral edge or body portion proximate thereto to the second lateraledge or body portion proximate thereto. Two preferred means aremechanical fastening and chemical bonding, e.g., adhesive. With respectto mechanical fastening, in one set of embodiments at least one tab andslot configuration can be used where a tab is formed at the first edge(alternatively, the tab can be established in the body portion proximateto the first edge by cutting the outline of a tab therein andsubsequently dislodging the tab therefrom, as will be described in moredetail below) and a slot is formed in the body portion proximate to thesecond edge by cutting a slot therein. In another set of embodiments, atleast one slit can be created at each lateral edge, such that theopposing slits engage one another during assembly of the insulator.Examples in the prior art of achieving such connectivity, which areincorporated herein by reference, include those found in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,857,615; 5,842,633; 5,425,497 and in United States applicationpublication number US 2003/0111475.

With respect to chemical bonding, an adhesive can be applied to one orboth body portions proximate to one or both lateral edges such that,when the edges are overlapped, one body portion will contact theformerly opposing body portion. Those persons skilled in the art willappreciate the diversity of alternative chemical securing techniquesavailable to accomplish the desired objective.

In an alternative to the derivative embodiments of the first series, thegeneral form of the beverage container is ascertained and an insulatormold is created based upon this form (leaving, of course, at least thecorresponding beverage container opening unobstructed so that a user mayfreely remove liquid from the container when surrounded by theinsulator). However, the mold is carried out in a clamshell fashion sothat for each insulator there are two halves, preferably hingedly linkedto one another. Preferably, the form of the beverage container uponwhich the mold is based is divided along the sagittal or coronal plane(as opposed to the horizontal/transverse plane). By constructing themold in this fashion, the depth of the mold can be minimized, whichsignificantly increases production speed, as is well known in the art.

A second series embodiment is broadly characterized as an insulatingring constructed from a flexible material such as paste board,plastic(s), inflatable poly bladders or foam(s), and preferably frommolded paper pulp or partially pleated paper. The insulating ringcomprises a cylindrical skirt having a first end and a second end, and aflange located at one end wherein the flange defines a variablediameter, expandable orifice.

The flange is characterized as comprising a circumferential portionhaving an outer circumference generally equal to that of the skirt andpreferably an upper end of the skirt. The circumferential portion may beannular or coextensive with the outer circumference. Extending radiallyinward from the circumferential portion is a plurality of arms. Each armis flexibly linked to the circumferential portion and separate fromadjacent arms by one of a slit, a slot or a span. Thus, each arm canflex in relationship to the flange independently of one another. As usedherein, a slit should be interpreted as meaning a nominal distancebetween adjacent arms such as resulting from a blade or rule cut; a slotshould be interpreted as meaning a minimal distance between adjacentarms such as resulting from the removal of a strip of material; a spanshould be interpreted as meaning a distance between adjacent arms suchas resulting from the removal of a piece of material having an area from5% to 30% of an arm.

In use, the end of the skirt nearest the flange is considered the upperportion of the skirt. A user desiring to enjoy an insulated grip of thebeverage container inserts the bottom portion of the beverage containerthrough the expandable orifice at the upper portion of the skirt. Inresponse to this insertion, the arms radially displace and diameter ofthe expandable orifice adapts to receive the bottom portion of thebeverage container. The arms continue to move in response to thecontainer insertion until the interaction between the outer surface ofthe container and the arms sufficiently resists further containertranslation so that a user ceases further insertion. Preferably, theflexible linkage between the arms and the circumferential portion has adesirable level of deflection resistance such as the further thecontainer translates in the skirt, the greater the friction between thecontainer outer surface and the arms.

Because many of the second series embodiments will utilize a singlematerial for construction, the degree of deflection resistance can bevaried by modulating the arc length of each arm (the arc length neednot, but can, be the same for all arms); modulating the radial depth ofthe slit, slot or span between arms; or the geometry of the slit, slotor span between arms, e.g., pure radial, swept radial, etc. changes tofrictionally receive the peripheral surface of the container. Additionalmethods for construction and compositions can be employed. For example,the radial length of one or more arms can be varied; the diameter andgeometry of the orifice can be varied; surface treatments can beintegrated on the surface or body of one or more arms to increase thecoefficient of friction thereof; and as illustrated the pitch of thearms can be varied to create a “stand off” when arms are engaged anddepressed into the center of the cylinder (sleeve).

Additionally, the skirt can comprise at least one stand-off element atthe end opposite the flange. A stand-off element is a structure thateffectively decreases the diameter of the skirt at the end opposite theflange and creates, when a beverage container is inserted into theskirt, a set off distance between the container outer surface and theinner surface of the skirt. The stand-off element can be a continuousannular element, a segmented annular element, a plurality of regularlyor irregularly spaced point or linear protrusions, and the like.Alternatively, the skirt can comprise at least one stand-off element atany location on the inner surface of the skirt.

In addition to the foregoing, the skirt can be of a right cylinderdesign or a frusto-conical design. If the later, the skirt isparticularly suited for use with beverage containers having acomplementary geometry, which includes having draft angles ofapproximately 4° to 6°.

A benefit of the second series embodiment is its slip resistancerelative to the beverage container. Because the distal edges of the armsact against the outer surface of the beverage container much like barbs,and because of the considerable surface area of contact between the armsand the container, unintentional slipping of the ring relative to thecontainer is minimized. Arm lateral edge contact can be used to increaseslip resistance by employing swept radial arms that permit the sideedges of the arms to contact the beverage container when the arms areflexed during container insertion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first series of embodimentsillustrating a simple molded insulator for surrounding a disposablebeverage container having a draft angle;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a truncated version of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 wherein the unitary insulator has been collapsed to facilitateefficient packing for shipping;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 wherein theinsulator has been partially expanded to receive a container;

FIG. 5 is perspective view of a slit embodiment of the first series ofembodiments wherein a plurality of slits/slots extend from a perimeterof the insulator to a body portion thereof, and further illustrating theincorporation of an expanded lip;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, shownsurrounding a beverage container after radial expansion of theperimeter;

FIG. 7 is a derivative embodiment of that shown in FIG. 5, but wherein afrangible slit is formed at the perimeter;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pleated embodiment of the first seriesof embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional elevation view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 8 detailing the dimensions and geometry of the pleated embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 8, particularlyillustrating the reduced diameter opening at the lower perimeter due tothe radially inward extension of the pleats;

FIG. 11 is an end view of a clam-shell embodiment of the first series ofembodiments particularly illustrating the nature and location of hingeportions and contour relief portions to facilitate formation of afrusto-conical cylinder;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the claim-shell embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative clam-shell embodimenthaving two semi-cylindrical sections linked by a hinge element and usingan interleaving means for securing one end thereof to the other

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 14 prior toencircling a beverage container;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 15 afterencirclement of the container and interleaving of its closure elements;

FIG. 16 is a plan view, in perspective, of an additional alternativeclam-shell embodiment shown in a substantially open position; and

FIG. 17 is an elevation view, in perspective, of the embodiment of FIG.17 shown in a substantially closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use the invention. Various modifications to thepreferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart, and the generic principles herein may be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Thus, thepresent invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment show,but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principlesand features disclosed herein.

Turning then to the several Figures wherein like numerals indicate likeparts, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a simplified first seriesembodiment is shown. The insulator of the invention includes cylinder50, which has an upper end 52 and a lower end 62 separated by bodyportion 72. Upper end 52 includes upper perimeter 54, which definesopening 56, and may optionally include lip 58. Lower end 62 includesperimeter 64, which defines opening 66. Body portion 72 includes insidesurface 74 and outside surface 76. The draft of cylinder 50 is shown at78. The embodiment shown in these FIGS. 1 and 2 is preferably formedfrom a wood pulp slurry through vacuum forming, as is well known in theart as applied to other applications.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a collapsedmode to increase packing density. With the exception of not includinglip 58 and decreasing the length of body portion 72, this embodiment isthe same as that of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 shows a slit embodiment of cylinder 50 wherein a plurality ofslits 80 are formed in body portion 72 and extend there from to lowerperimeter 64. In these embodiments, lower perimeter 64 is free toradially expand outward upon being biased, such as when inserted over adisposable beverage container such as shown in FIG. 6. Because of thisfeature, the draft angle of the cylinder may be greater than that of thebeverage container, however, the draft angle of cylinder 50 is variablein this regard and lower perimeter 64 will radially expand toaccommodate containers having a draft angle less than that of cylinder50. As a result of this separation, slit 80 transform into a pronounced“V” shape as best shown in FIG. 6.

An alternative arrangement to that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown inFIG. 7 wherein lower perimeter 64 is retained. In this embodiment,frangible portion 82 is formed and will breach upon application of asufficient radially outward bias at lower perimeter 64. In both slitembodiments, radial expansion is characterized as material separation.

Turning then to cylinder 50 in FIGS. 8-10, a pleated embodiment isshown. In this embodiment, portions of body portion 72 and lowerperimeter 64 are displaceable. Pleats 90 are shown as beingsmooth-walled, although alternative embodiments now shown herein employplanar faces. As noted in FIG. 9, slits or scorings are provided atpleats 90 to facilitate force localization, thereby insuring that radialexpansion does not otherwise affect the generally circular cross sectiongeometry of cylinder 50. Also shown in FIG. 9 is maximum draft angle 78′and nominal draft angle 78. Thus, the illustrated embodiment canaccommodate disposable containers having draft angles at least withinthis range, which is believed to accommodate nearly all commerciallyavailable disposable beverage container.

FIG. 10 particularly shows both nominal opening diameter 66 and reduceddiameter 68. As long as the target beverage container has a minimumdiameter of at least that of reduced diameter 68, it can be accommodatedby the illustrated embodiment.

The embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown in a “clam-shell” configurationin FIGS. 11 and 12. This embodiment includes hinge elements 100, whichserve to link the quarter cylinders comprising cylinder 50 when ends 102are joined. Each quarter cylinder is considered a “contour relief” in anotherwise two dimensional projection of cylinder 50 of FIGS. 3 and 4.FIGS. 13-15 illustrate an alternative embodiment to that of FIGS. 11 and12 wherein interlocking elements 104 are employed to secure ends 102 toeach other, thereby forming cylinder 50 upon encirclement of adisposable beverage container.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate an alternative clam-shell embodiment. Here,cylinder 50 is characterized as clamshell sleeve 120. Sleeve 120includes first shell 130 and second shell 140. First shell 130 includesmajor rim portion 132 and minor rim portion 134 as well as body portion136 and edges 138; second shell 140 includes major rim portion 142 andminor rim portion 144 as well as body portion 146 and edges 148.

First shell 130 and second shell 140 are pivotally linked to each otherby a pair of hinge elements 150. Each hinge element includes a firstportion 152 and a second portion 154. First portion 152 of each hingeelement 150 is connected to or integrally extends from edges 138proximate to minor rim portion 134 while second portion 154 of eachhinge element 150 is connected to or integrally extends from edges 148proximate to minor rim portion 138. As those persons skilled in the artwill appreciate, the precise location of hinge elements 150 may bevaried and still retain much of the functionality of the secondembodiment: the hinge elements may link adjacent minor rim portions 138and 148; the hinge elements may be located at minor rim portions 138 and148.

A benefit to establishing an axis of pivot proximate to but not at minorrim portions 138 and 148 is the creation of tail segments 160 as is bestshown in FIG. 7. When tail segments 160 are present, a fulcrumarrangement is created. Upon insertion of a beverage container, thelower portion of such container contacts tail segments 160, which causethe remaining portions of sleeve 120 beyond the axis of pivot as definedby hinge elements 150 to adduct. In this manner, as long as there iscontact between tail segments 160 and the wall of the beveragecontainer, there is an adduction bias to sleeve 120. This bias assistsin preventing the unintentional abduction of sleeve 120 about thebeverage container. To assist in this bias, it is preferable to includeat least one stand-off element (not shown) to the interior surface ofeach tail segment 160.

1. A beverage container insulator comprising: a molded pulp cylinder(50) formed from a polysaccharide and having an inside surface (74), anoutside surface (76), a first end (52) having a first opening (56), asecond end (62) having a second opening (66), and a body portion (72)between the two ends wherein each opening is defined by a perimeter (54,64) that joins the inside surface to the outside surface.
 2. Theinsulator of claim 1 wherein the first opening (56) has a diametergreater than that of the second opening (66).
 3. The insulator of claim2 wherein a difference in diameter between the first and second openings(56, 66) defines a draft angle (78), and wherein the draft angle isselected to be the same as or larger than a target beverage container.4. The insulator of claim 2 wherein the draft angle (78) is from about4° to 6°.
 5. The insulator of claim 1 wherein the inside surface (74)and the outside surface (76) have different tactile qualities.
 6. Theinsulator of claim 5 wherein the inside surface (74) is not smooth. 7.The insulator of claim 1 further comprising an enhanced lip portion (58)at the first opening (56) to increase the radial crush resistance of theinsulator.
 8. The insulator of claim 7 wherein the enhanced lip portion(58) comprises an increased diameter portion (58) when compared to thebody portion (72) and a lower annular transition portion (59) betweenthe increased diameter portion and the body portion.
 9. The insulator ofclaim 7 wherein the enhanced lip portion (58) defines a draft angle,which is different from a draft angle (78).
 10. The insulator of claim 1further comprising at least two longitudinal hinge segments to aid inbidirectional radial collapse of the insulator to form a collapsedcylinder.
 11. The insulator of claim 1 further comprising at least twoslits (80) extending from the second opening (66) towards, but not to,the first opening (56).
 12. The insulator of claim 11 wherein the atleast two slits (80) extend from a lower perimeter (64).
 13. Theinsulator of claim 11 wherein the at least two slits (80) do not extendfrom a lower perimeter (64) but from a position proximate thereto tocreate at least two frangible slits.
 14. The insulator of claim 1further comprising a plurality of pleats (90).
 15. The insulator ofclaim 14 wherein the plurality of pleats (90) are located at orproximate to a lower perimeter (64) and are radially expandable.
 16. Theinsulator of claim 14 wherein a draft angle (78′) formed by a pleat (90)is greater than a draft angle (78) formed by body portion (72).
 17. Theinsulator of claim 14 wherein the plurality of pleats (90) extend fromthe lower perimeter (64) to proximate the first opening (56).
 18. Theinsulator of claim 1 further comprising a slot extending from the firstopening (56) to the second opening (66), and joining means for linkingone end (102) to another end (102).
 19. The insulator of claim 1 furthercomprising indicia on the outside surface (76).
 20. The insulator ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of stand-off elements.